Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
117 words
An intermediate fabric produced in the production of a decorative fabric, the intermediate fabric comprising: a warp-wise dimensionally stable substrate having a first face; weft yarns disposed on the first face of the substrate and extending parallel to each other; stitching thread for holding the weft yarns on the first face; said stitching thread in a central body section of the fabric, between opposite edges thereof in a direction perpendicular to the machine direction, being disposed in a dimensionally unstable, but aesthetic, basically zigzag configuration in the machine direction; and said stitching thread in the selvage portions of said fabric, on opposite sides of the said central body section thereof, being disposed in a dimensionally stable configuration.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
117 words
An intermediate fabric produced in the production of a decorative fabric, the intermediate fabric comprising: a warp-wise dimensionally stable substrate having a first face; weft yarns disposed on the first face of the substrate and extending parallel to each other; stitching thread for holding the weft yarns on the first face; said stitching thread in a central body section of the fabric, between opposite edges thereof in a direction perpendicular to the machine direction, being disposed in a dimensionally unstable, but aesthetic, basically zigzag configuration in the machine direction; and said stitching thread in the selvage portions of said fabric, on opposite sides of the said central body section thereof, being disposed in a dimensionally stable configuration.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
An intermediate fabric as recited in claim 1 wherein stitching configuration in said selvage portions is a chain stitching configuration.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
42 words
An intermediate fabric as recited in claim 2 further comprising decorative warp yarns, in the central body section, disposed on the first face of the substrate and extending in a line substantially parallel to each other and perpendicular to the weft yarns.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
39 words
An intermediate fabric as recited in claim 1 wherein the substrate comprises a 100 percent polyester non-woven fabric dimensionally stable both warp-wise and weft-wise, and wherein the stitching thread has the properties of 150 denier textured polyester stitching thread.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
An intermediate fabric as recited in claim 1 further comprising stitching thread in the selvage portions of the fabric being disposed in a dimensionally unstable configuration.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
44 words
An intermediate fabric as recited in claim 5 wherein the dimensionaly uns table configuration of stitching threading the selvage portions of the fabric is a substantial continuation of a part of the same dimensionally unstable configuration in the central body section of the fabric.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
An intermediate fabric as recited in claim 6 wherein the dimensionally unstable configuration of stitching thread is a zig-zag configuration.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
An intermediate fabric as recited in claim 7 wherein the dimensionally stitching configuration in said selvage portions is chain stitching configuration, the zig-zag thread connecting the chain stitch wales.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
43 words
An intermediate fabric as recited in claim 7 further comprising decorative warp yarns, in the central body section, disposed on the first face of the substrate and extending in a line substantially parallel to each other and substantially perpendicular to the weft yarns.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
42 words
An intermediate fabric as recited in claim 1 further comprising decorative warp yarns, in the central body section, disposed on the first face of the substrate and extending in a line substantially parallel to each other and perpendicular to the weft yarns.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
201 words
A method of making a dimensionally stable decorative fabric utilizing a weft-inserted warp knitting machine having three stitching bars, comprising the steps of: (a) feeding a warp-wise stable substrate in the machine direction of a knitting machine; (b) inserting weft yarn in a direction perpendicular to the moving direction of the substrate utilizing the knitting machine; (c) feeding stitching thread to the first and second stitching bars; (c1) feeding stitching thread to the third stitching bar; (d) in a central body portion of the substrate while stitching with the first and second stitching bars, to cause the stitching thread to hold the weft yarn in place on the substrate, moving the stitching bars in opposite directions in a basically zigzag form to create a dimensionally unstable but aesthetic pattern of stitching thread, in the machine direction of the fabric produced; (d1) on selvage edge portions of the substrate in the machine direction, stitching with the third stitching bar while moving it in a pattern so as to create dimensionally stable stitching; practicing steps (c1) and (d1) simultaneously with steps (c) and (d); (e) finishing the fabric produced by steps (a)-(d1); and (f) cutting the finished fabric to form desired fabric pieces.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
201 words
A method of making a dimensionally stable decorative fabric utilizing a weft-inserted warp knitting machine having three stitching bars, comprising the steps of: (a) feeding a warp-wise stable substrate in the machine direction of a knitting machine; (b) inserting weft yarn in a direction perpendicular to the moving direction of the substrate utilizing the knitting machine; (c) feeding stitching thread to the first and second stitching bars; (c1) feeding stitching thread to the third stitching bar; (d) in a central body portion of the substrate while stitching with the first and second stitching bars, to cause the stitching thread to hold the weft yarn in place on the substrate, moving the stitching bars in opposite directions in a basically zigzag form to create a dimensionally unstable but aesthetic pattern of stitching thread, in the machine direction of the fabric produced; (d1) on selvage edge portions of the substrate in the machine direction, stitching with the third stitching bar while moving it in a pattern so as to create dimensionally stable stitching; practicing steps (c1) and (d1) simultaneously with steps (c) and (d); (e) finishing the fabric produced by steps (a)-(d1); and (f) cutting the finished fabric to form desired fabric pieces.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
34 words
A method as recited in claim 11 wherein step (c) is practiced by positively feeding the stitching thread to the stitching bars so as to ensure that the stitching yarn is not too tight.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method as recited in claim 12 wherein step (c) is practiced utilizing feed rollers driven at constant speed.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method as recited in claim 11 wherein step (f) is practiced by cutting off the selvage.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method as recited in claim 11 wherein step (e) is practiced by foam backing the substrate of the fabric so as to provide drapery or like decorative fabric.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
53 words
A method as recited in claim 11 comprising the further step of, substantially simultaneously with steps (b)-(d), feeding decorative warp yarn into operative association with the substrate, utilizing the knitting machine, so that the stitching also the decorative warp yarn in place, the inserted warp and weft yarns being perpendicular to each other.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
60 words
A method as recited in claim 11 wherein in the practice of step (d) the first stitching bar is operational only in the central body portion of the substrate, while the second stitching bar is operational in both the central body portion of the substrate and the selvages thereof, providing a dimensionally unstable generally zig-zag configuration in the selvage area.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
34 words
A method as recited in claim 17 wherein steps (d) and (d1) are practiced so as to provide a selvage area on either side of the central body area that is approximately one inch.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
34 words
A method as recited in claim 17 wherein step (d1) is practiced to provide chain stitching at the fabric selvage areas, the zig-zag threads in the selvage connecting the wales of the chain stitching.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method as recited in claim 17 wherein step (f) is practiced by cutting off the selvage.